John Calipari Setting Up Kentucky Pros vs. Dominican Republic Game

We told you in April that John Calipari was considering coaching the Dominican Republic national team. Cal has agreed to coach the team and he’s preparing them for the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship. In fact, he’s arranged a game between former Kentucky stars and his Dominican team. You’ll recognize many of the players on the roster.

According to Calipari, the Kentucky team will be coached by Joe B. Hall and Sam Bowie. John Wall, Rajon Rondo, Tayshaun Prince, DeMarcus Cousins, Jodie Meeks, Nazr Mohammed, Eric Bledsoe and Keith Bogans will play for the Kentucky pros.

The Dominican National Team will be coached by Calipari. Pros Francisco Garcia, Al Horford, and Charlie Villanueva are scheduled to play for the team. They’ll be joined by nine others.

The game will take place August 15th at Rupp Arena and tickets will go on sale shortly. I have to say, coaching the Dominican team was a genius move by Cal. The exposure he’ll receive in the D.R. will be huge. It will give Kentucky a major recruiting advantage in the country.